WWE SmackDown Notes: Nick Aldis Reinstated As SmackDown GM, Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk for Undisputed WWE Title Set for SummerSlam, Lil Yachty Debuts New Custom WWE U.S. Title, Baron Corbin Surprise Return, Rhodes & Punk vs. Gunther & Sami Zayn Set for 7/18 WWE SNME Show

WWE
Jul 10, 2026

Nick Aldis Reinstated As SmackDown GM

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma featured the announcement of Nick Aldis being reinstated as the General Manager of SmackDown.

At the start of the show, SmackDown commentator Joe Tessitore announced that Aldis was reinstated following his “administrative leave” punishment after his physical altercation with Gunther after this past June’s Night of Champions 2026 event. Aldis was seen in the ring and addressed his situation and confirmed he is officially back full-time as the GM of the SmackDown brand.

Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk for Undisputed WWE Title Set for SummerSlam 2026

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one new match announced for the card of SummerSlam 2026, which takes place on August 1-2 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This new match announced was an Undisputed WWE Championship match of Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk (c).

This new match was setup following an in-ring promo segment involving Punk, Rhodes, and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis.

Current card for WWE SummerSlam 2026:

  • Undisputed WWE Championship – Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk (c)
  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (c)
  • WWE Women’s World Championship – IYO SKY vs. Liv Morgan (c)
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship – winner of #1 Contender Gauntlet match vs. Penta (c)
  • Hell in a Cell match – Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

Trick Williams & Lil Yachty Debuts New Custom WWE U.S. Title

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Lil Yachty officially revealing a new custom made WWE United States Championship belt for Trick Williams.

During the show, Williams was seen backstage looking for his title and claiming that Ricky Saints must have been the one who took it. This led to Yachty showing up and told Williams that he might have overstepped his boundaries but got him a brand new custom made Legacy edition WWE U.S. title belt with white fur covering the leather.

Baron Corbin Makes Surprise Return

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Baron Corbin, also known as Bishop Dyer in the indies, making his surprise return.

Near the end of the singles match between Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams, Corbin ran out and attacked Hayes resulting in the referee calling for the bell. Corbin continued his attack and targeted Williams as well and laid out both Hayes and Williams. Corbin then left the ring and grabbed Williams’ WWE United States title and held it up before tossing it onto Williams. Corbin then left and made his way to the back.

This was Corbin’s first appearance in WWE since November of 2024.

Cody Rhodes & CM Punk vs. Gunther & Sami Zayn Announced for July 18 WWE SNME Show

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one new match announced for the card of the next WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event show, which takes place on July 18 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

This new match announced was a tag team match of Cody Rhodes & CM Punk vs. Gunther & Sami Zayn.

This new match was setup following an in-ring promo segment involving SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and Gunther. This eventually turned physical after Gunther attacked Aldis and choked him out with repeated sleeper holds over him being angry at not getting a shot at the Undisputed WWE title that he had been demanding.

Current card for July 18th WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event show:

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – Fatal Influence (Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley) vs. Scream Mode (Paige & Brie Bella) (c)
  • Cody Rhodes & CM Punk vs. Gunther & Sami Zayn
  • Danhausen vs. JD McDonagh
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